Community of Hope patients, Shermica and Ronnie, were excited when they found out that they were going to welcome a new baby into the world. They began receiving care at a local hospital, and although the care was adequate, over time they began to realize they were looking for a different experience than what the hospital could provide. In March, they did a Google search to see if there was any place in the District they could have a water birth – an experience that requires the birthing person to be unmedicated and free to move around while still under the care of a medical team. They found Community of Hope.
At their first appointment at the Family Health and Birth Center, Shermica and Ronnie were struck by the care they received. Ronnie says, “The original attraction was having access to a tub for delivery and pain management, but although in the end we didn’t use a tub both of us found the communication exceptional, the atmosphere was warm and friendly… we were free to ask questions, and were adequately advised of our options. The fact that someone came to the room to set up the next appointment [was helpful]. It helps reduce anxiety to schedule or wait on something else. Instead of moving from room to room, it was nice to stay in one place.”
Ronnie enjoyed going to these appointments and always felt included. He says, “They explain everything – they didn’t dismiss any ideas as being something we couldn’t do, it was more like, ‘if this is something you want, let’s talk about it.”
On the morning after Father’s Day, Shermica went into labor, and they managed while laboring at home for some time. The midwives were available by phone, advised them when to come in, and greeted them upon arrival. Shermica continued laboring, managing to keep up her energy and extending her strength for 13 hours with the support of her husband and birth team by her side.
Ronnie was excited and very present during Shermica’s labor. “They were encouraging me to support my wife, and at one point, one of the birthing assistants offered to take my place so I could rest, which I found to be exceptional as well. They were not crowding us, not forcing her, and they were checking in on how we were both feeling which was encouraging to me. It made her not be defensive or feel constrained, where I would then have had to step in and make it an us vs them situation.”
Ronnie was thrilled to welcome his first daughter, Eva, and he can’t get over what an exceptional experience it was overall, in contrast to the birth of his other three children. “I was confident during labor because I have other children – but this experience was way different. Comparing these experiences, I would say hands down, this is a better way. People should feel encouraged.”
Ronnie is ecstatic to get to know this little person; he loves children and wants to teach her about all aspects of life – while simultaneously supporting her choices. “Being a young Black female in America has inherent challenges, and I, having limitations as a Black man in America, want to provide the best way to help her achieve what she wants to achieve.”
In speaking about his and his wife’s experience at Community of Hope, he shared, “Never once did we feel mistreated or misguided. There was not any feeling of ‘this is not available to you,’ and there wasn’t any denial of access…In all of the years that I have attended medical visits, Community of Hope is a great example of attention and friendliness.”
Community of Hope’s Family Health and Birth Center has just moved to 2120 Bladensburg Rd, NE. Its expanded space will allow us to serve more patients, through primary care for the whole family, including maternal and child health services, pediatric care, emotional wellness, pharmacy on-site (coming soon), and more. To learn how to support these services or become a patient yourself, please visit www.communityofhopedc.org.
